The internal struggle to survive through the writing process while attempting to finish my first novel within a year.

Friday, April 17, 2015

O is for Opposing Sides by CM Doporto

My 'O' post is a day late. I've been packing for a week trip in Vegas and it's been long days. Anyways this author definitely deserves recognition, I'm absolutely in love with her University Park series, and The Raven. She's also one of the nicest people I've gotten to know and I can't wait to meet her in less than two weeks at the Hard Rock Author Event in Tulsa Oklahoma!

Opposing Sides by CM Doporto is the first installment in the University park series. I absolutely devoured this series and fell in love with the characters of her books. Lexi Thompson is a college senior that is engaged to the hottest guy of her university's college baseball team, Collin. Lexi thinks everything is good, but she's missing the spark a relationship should have. Romance, sex, Collin doesn't give her either of things needed to keep their relationship together. When Lexi is forced to tutor the star quarterback of the football team Raven Davenport. Raven is known to be a ladies man and Lexi is instantly starting to fall into the "Raven's Trap" as the other women on campus call it. Lexi wants things to change in her relationship with Collin, she wants to feel the spark that Raven seems to ignite every time he's near her. Collin is more reserved and not interested in making love until they say "I do". The more Lexi is denied the more she falls into the Raven's Trap and suddenly she realizes that maybe what she wants isn't what she always thought for herself, it's the boy who makes her heart race and her body ignite. Raven. Words can't describe how much I love this book. Lexi is an amazing strong character, I actually sort of rooted for Collin throughout the whole book hoping he would wake his ass up and fight for her, but after awhile I too fell into the "Raven's trap".

About the Author: (taken from her website)

CM Doportois a native Texan and resides there with her husband and son enjoying life with their extensive family along with their Chihuahua, Mexican Redhead Parrot and several fish.
CM earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from The University of
Texas at Arlington. She briefly worked in the area of Public Relations
and Advertising and then pursued a career in the field of Human
Resources. CM considers herself a life-long learner and returned to
school and earned her Master of Art’s Degree in Organizational
Development from Dallas Baptist University.
CM’s hobbies include interior decorating, fresh flower design,
costume sewing and working out. CM’s passion for learning is
evident through her vast library collection of non-fiction books. It was
after several life-changing experiences that she woke up and decided it
was time to ‘smell the roses’ and started enjoying fiction books. It
was through various revelations that she discovered her love for writing
and started on her new writing journey.
Although CM can’t honestly say that she loved to curl up with a book,
because of her association with learning and reading, she did come to
discover a whole new world in fiction writing. It was mainly her late
father’s influence of sharing his passion of Star Wars, Star Trek and
Superman movies with her throughout her life, that sparked her calling
for writing in the Science Fiction/Urban Fantasy Genre. Couple that
Science Fiction passion and a romantic at heart and boom, you get CM’s
stories about ordinary females who do extraordinary things and become a
heroine and find love along the way.
CM is a member of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
and Romance Writers of America and is associated with the Young Adult
Special Interest Chapter.

On a Personal Note:

CM is another author that I look up to. She and I have had some really great chats over that last couple months and I am so humbled to consider her a friend. Anytime I need advice she is there, anytime I need help she offers it. I hate being that person that constantly annoys people, but sometimes you can't help yourself when you make a friend like Christi, hopefully I don't annoy her too much. Ha Ha. I love her writing, her characters, and her books. She writes Sci-fi as well and those books are equally as enjoyable as the University Park series. More than anything I just like her, she's funny and sweet and a all around awesome person.

College senior, Lexi Thompson, finds herself in a relationship to be wed
to the university’s star baseball pitcher, Collin Norris. Collin’s damn
hot but it’s his lack of spark that has Lexi thinking twice before she
says ‘I Do’. When she’s forced to tutor bad boy football quarterback,
Raven Davenport, she soon discovers all the things she’s missing in her
relationship with Collin. Will she succumb to the temptations enticing
her or will Collin be able to convince his sweet, innocent fiancée that
his love for her is genuine despite his lack of affection? (This story
will be told in 3 installments)
Age: 18+ for language and sexual situations
New Adult/College Sports Romance

The engagement's off and with Collin behind her, Lexi has decided that
the temptations of Raven Davenport are too strong to be ignored. It
doesn’t take long for Lexi and Raven to find themselves wrapped in each
other’s affection, but not without the challenges that life poses. But
can she withstand the world he’s created or will the forces that are
against them rip them apart? Love, faith, betrayal, and heartache ripple
through their lives as they fight to be on the same side. (Not a
standalone story. Book 2 in the University Park Series.)
Age: 18+ for language and sexual situations
New Adult/College Sports Romance

Lexi’s determined to keep her word and stand by Raven’s side because her
love for him is too strong to deny. As Raven learns to deal with the
issues that are destined to destroy him and their relationship, their
love is taken to a new level. As doors are closed and new ones are
opened, Lexi and Raven find themselves in a heavenly bliss, but not
without the challenges from Raven’s past. With a true test of love, Lexi
and Raven have to decide if they are willing to do whatever it takes to
be on the winning side. (Not a standalone story. Book 3 in the
University Park Series.)
Age: 18+ for language and sexual situations
New Adult/College Sports Romance